This chapter focuses on Dana, Nat and Lana, even though they are not exactly major characters in this story. I may even explore Andy in a future chapter but for now, people associated with the main characters would have to do for now. Enjoy :)
Nat smirked, bouncing Kelly on her lap as she noticed Dana smile a little, blushing down at her phone.
"Who are you texting? Your guy friend?" Nat teased, allowing the toddler in her arms to grip onto her cropped hair.
Dana gave an innocent smile, putting her phone away. "Why do you want to know?"
"I don't but I'm intrigued..." Nat shrugged.
The brunette raised an eyebrow, getting up from Lola's bed as she collected her bag. "You'll know soon enough. He's coming to camp as a temporary dance instructor since Caitlyn's gone for the week."
"Ah, so the mystery will be solved today?"
"Yep." Dana grinned. "I can't wait to see him. We had issues years back so I'm glad we got over them to start a new relationship. Brayden's not too keen."
Nat shrugged. "I doubt Nate will not be keen, too. But he's away too so he'll never know."
"Exactly. Not many people like him, well, the ones who had the pleasure of meeting him."
"Seems dangerous to bring him in an unwanted territory but, oh well. You gotta go. Your piano class starts in five and this little girl needs to find her daddy who's off for the afternoon."
Dana chuckled, already out the door. "Bye!"
...
Lana fingered the necklace around her neck, biting her lip as she watched the still lake be lit up by the sunlight.
"Hey, you alright?"
She jumped, facing her intruder. She had not seen him around before.
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. Just thinking about how serene this looks right now."
The guy nodded, sitting beside her and rolling his sleeves up. "I agree."
Lana gave him a small smile. "Yeah,"
"So... What's the story about that necklace?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry. A dangerous topic?"
"No, not at all. Just a sad, open can of worms one." Lana replied, bringing her knees to her chest to prevent further notice of her necklace.
"It's pretty. The moon and star thing is really outdated, though."
"Hmm," Lana mumbled quietly. "Well, it was given to me a long time ago."
The guy shifted uncomfortably on the deck, before leaning back on his hands. "You new here?"
"Yep. Guest speaker but I've decided to make it a holiday and cover for some people."
"You're that famous singer, Lana Keegan?"
"The one and only. Look, if you're trying to hit me up-"
"No! I have a girlfriend!" The guy exclaimed, raising his hands in defence. "Sorry, you just looked like you needed someone to talk to."
Lana frowned. "Well, I don't. I'm fine."
"I see that, now." The guy sighed. "Well, I'm here to cover some dance lessons."
"Good for you," Lana nodded. "Look, I gotta go."
She stood up and waved to the guy before heading off to find someone close to talk to.
...
Lola smiled brightly at Nat, making the other female uncomfortable.
"What?"
"I know you have a crush on someone!"
Nat blinked twice. "How did you know that?" She sighed.
Lola smirked, holding up Nat's 'Beats Book'. "I was looking for some inspiration for my next rap, hoping to hire you and I found some love hearts with 'N&C' in it."
Nat chuckled, taking her book back. "That's stands for 'Nate and Cait'! And Caitlyn wrote that because she was feeling hot and bothered."
"Ah." Lola nodded. "Well, do you have anyone in mind?"
Nat shrugged. "Not really. But I'll tell you a secret."
"What?" Lola leant in closer.
"I don't mind what gender they are, as long as they can satisfy me, I'm good."
Lola's eyes widened as she gasped. "You're bisexual?!"
"Yep," Nat shrugged. "Have been for four years now. Haven't really told anyone but I've never had a reason to. I don't get many dates locked away in the studio."
"I gotta find you, someone! Maybe we can hang out after camp?"
Nat laughed. "Well, if you say so. Don't get any catfish, though. Had my fair share hence, my locking away in the studio."
Lola grinned madly. "Well, don't worry. I know lots of people!"
...
Shane looked up with a soft smile. "Lana, how are you?"
"Fine. I need someone to talk to, can I talk to you?"
Shane checked his watch before looking up and nodding. "I got fifteen minutes before my next cover class. What's up?"
Lana's lips trembled as she fingered her necklace. "It's... It's nearly the anniversary of Jesse's death and I keep thinking about that time when I nearly got..."
Her friend gasped, taking her in his arms. "Hey, shh... It's all right. I'm sorry Caitlyn's not here."
Lana sighed. "I miss him. I miss my babe."
Shane pushed her back gently, forcing her to look at him. "If you want, I could book you a flight to Hawaii right now. Or to Ohio to stay with Jesse's mom."
Lana smiled. "I'd like to be with their mom. Caitlyn's gone to the trial on her behalf because she has the kids to look after so I could go out there and help. Take my mind off of things. Plus, Melissa's really nice when Caitlyn's not calling her a bitch." She chuckled lightly.
"Okay, good. I'll book you a flight after my class, yeah? I know that if Cait was here, she'd be here for you as you'd be there for her."
"Thank you." Lana smiled, accepting his hug. "There's this weird new guy around."
"Oh?" Shane asked as they broke the hug. "What does he look like?"
"Tall, dark with a cool sense of style. But extremely nosey and chatty."
Shane chuckled. "I will look out for him. It's probably a cover instructor."
"Yeah, he said." Lana nodded. "So, I'll catch up with you later on the flight?"
"Yeah, see ya." Shane smiled.
...
Dana blushed, feeling hands cover her eyes as she grinned.
"Hey you," she said, placing her hands on top of the hands over her eyes. "I was waiting ages for you."
"Sorry, I took so long. How's Brayden?"
Dana smiled, taking the hands off her eyes as she turned around in the guy's arms. "He's fine. And you're all right."
"I just wanted to be sure that he'd gone, you know? He came back and I think he forgot something. He's gone now."
The brunette sighed, casting her gaze down. "I don't want us to be a secret... He's going to find out sometime. How come he can get a girlfriend but I can't have a boyfriend?"
"Guys get protective when their kids are involved. I'm sure he'll be fine later."
"I hope you're right..." Dana mumbled, snuggling into his chest and inhaling his scent. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too... I can't wait to spend the remainder of summer with you."
Dana chuckled. "Neither can I. I've got so much things planned for us both to do. Although this week, we'll be busy with finalising Final Jam performances and covering for people. I can't believe it's already nearly the end of summer..."
"Same. But we can always try and find time to spend together. I have this dance gig coming up."
Dana narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess, Nate's tour?"
"He didn't choose the male dancers, his agent did."
"Why?" Dana frowned, leaning back.
The guy smiled. "Who really cares what their male dancers look like? It's the ladies that people pay attention to. Plus, I know my counterpart, Macy Jane Darcy."
"How do you know this? Nate's barely got the tour set up, let alone organised?" Dana asked suspiciously.
"Your dad knows a few people. Managed to get me an interview and a dance performance."
Dana pulled back. "Quit the tour. I don't know what you're up to but stop. Nate is Brayden's father and you're going to make things worse for us."
"I'm not up to anything, Danes... I promise not to make things worse. I just want that job because it can be good for us. You can finally move out of that studio apartment and get something with me."
"How much do you think a dancer earns? Or a piano tutor?" Dana scoffed.
"Not much but... I'm sure Nate can help."
Dana glared at him. "What do you mean?"
"I'm thinking we can blackmail him."
Dana shook her head, scoffing. "Oh, no. You're not blackmailing my son's father, Luke Williams."